Traffic lane indicator

ABSTRACT

A traffic lane indicator which has a cylindrical, outer housing formed of a deformable material with a plurality of longitudinal slots circumferentially spaced around its lower end. A tapered base plate is laid upon the bottom of a hole in the pavement so that the housing can be rammed downwardly against it. This causes the lower end of the housing to expand outwardly against the hole wall for permanently imbedding the housing in the pavement. A cylindrical sleeve is removably mounted in the housing and contains a vertically reciprocating piston bearing a protruding, reflective top surface. The piston may be biased with a thermally responsive, bi-metallic spring which withdraws the piston from protrusion above the pavement at freezing temperatures.

United States Patent 1 1 Jennings, Jr. et al.

[54] CURB FORMING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Charles E. Jennings, Jr; John L.

Kugle, both of Lancaster, Pa. [73] Assignee: Irl Daffin Associates, Inc.,

Lancaster, Pa.

[22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 528,697

[52] US. Cl. 404/98 [51] Int. Cl. E01C 19/52 [58] Field of Search 404/98, 105

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,539,063 l/l951 Ekenstam 404/98 X 3,053,156 9/1962 Jennings 404/98 Nov. 18, 1975 I 3,137,220 6/1964 Smith 404/98 3,138,079 6/1964 Smith 3,280,711 10/1966 Jennings 3,566,760 3/1971 La Fleur 3,606,827 9/1971 Miller Primary ExaminerNile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Holman & Stern [57] ABSTRACT A curb forming apparatus for extruding a paving material such as asphalt or concrete to continuously produce an elongated curb, median strip or the like including an extrusion assembly pivotable to either side of the frame means to enable the apparatus to be operated to lay a curb or the like on opposite sides without changing the direction of travel.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,920,349

DKZECUON OF- TRAVEL U.S.- Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,920,349

fig: Z DHZEC'UON OF TRAVEL I 5 44 Sheet 3 of 4 US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 U.S. Patnt Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet40f4 3,920,349

CURB FORMING APPARATUS self-propelled is shown and described in detail in commonly assigned and now abandoned U.S. application Ser. No. 362,346 filed May 21, 1973. in the name of Charles E. Jennings, Jr., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. With a device of that type it is merely necessary to continuously feed a paving material into a hopper and guide the device as it moves to insure that the curb is layed along the proper path. Once the initial curb is layed it acts to propel the apparatus forwardly as additional paving material is extruded.

With prior art devices of this type it is necessary to actually turn the apparatus around 180 in order to extrude a curb in the opposite direction. A modified form of curb forming apparatus is shown and described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 551,390 filed Oct. 2, 1974 in the names of Ralph W. Coho, Jr. and John L. Kugle, the entire disclosure of which is' also incorporated herein by reference. This modified device enables extrusion of a paving material in opposite directions on the same side of the wheeled support so that the device can be propelled in either direction.

The instant modified curb forming apparatus provides an arrangement whereby the extrusion assembly can be pivoted to either'side of the wheeled support so the direction of travel of the apparatus need not be changed while permitting the curb to be layed on either side of the main frame.

Commonly, it is desirable to operate a curb forming apparatus of thetype with which the instant invention is concerned either on a flat grade or in a generally uphill direction to insure a proper compaction of the extruded paving material. If a machine of this nature is operated downhill, the weight of the apparatus has a tendency to cause the same to runaway from the curb being layed so that his difficult to produce good compaction. Sometimes this difficulty can be overcome by modifying the paving material being used. Additionally, both of the prior applications referred to hereinabove propose to utilize a braking or retarding means to slow the progress of the machine as it moves down- :hill.

The instant invention enables the machine to be operated in the same direction while the curb can be laid on either side of the frame. In some instances, it is impossible to lay a curb on one side of a machine because obstructions such as guardrails and the like preclude the frame from rolling on that side of the extrusion. The undesirability of reversing certain prior art devices to extrude curbs on opposite sides of the apparatus is also believed to be evident.

Thus, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a curb forming apparatus which is capable of laying a curb or the like on either side of the wheeled sup- 2 port while the machine is moved in the same direction. This construction enables the operator to selectively place an extrusion assembly in a desired relation with respect to the frame depending upon the terrain.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a curb forming apparatus which is relatively easy to modify so as to enable extrusion of the paving material on either side of the frame without modifying the direction of travel. This construction also minimizes duplication of elements by providing reversible parts that can be used on either side of the wheeled support depending upon the environment in which the curb is to be laid.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a curb forming apparatus which is relatively simple and inexpansive to manufacture, utilize and maintain and, yet, which is extremely strong and durable in construction. Other and further objects of the invention reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts and features of construction.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be set forth in the following detailed description which makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a curb forming apparatus according to the instant invention, with the parts being arranged for extruding a curb to the left of the device, selected elements being shown in dotted lines for illustrative clarity and convenience;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of this invention with the parts being arranged for extruding a curb on the right of the wheeled support;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through the extrusion assembly taken substantially along lines 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 55 of FIG. 2, with the alternate position of the extrusion assembly being shown in dotted lines; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken substantially along lines 6-6 in FIG. 3.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

It is to be understood that any well-known paving material could be utilized in the apparatus of this invention, such as asphalt or concrete and that the term curb is used to herein, and in the appended claims, in a generic sense to encompass ordinary curbs, median strips and the like of any desired cross-section.

The various elements and members of the apparatus of this invention may be made of any suitable material, normally welded steel.

Reference is now made to the drawings, more particularly to FIG. 1, wherein a curb forming apparatus according to the instant inventive concepts is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. In the remaining figures similar parts shown in their alternative positions are designated by the same reference numeral followed by a prime This device comprises basically an elongated frame means 12 having a longitudinally extending central axis 14, longitudinally spaced forward and rearward ends l6, l8 and laterally spaced sides 20, 22.

An extrusion assembly is designated generally by the reference numeral 25 and comprises, in combination, a hopper means 26, a rotabably supported elongated auger means 28, an auger housing means 30, a compaction tube 32, and curb forming means 34. The various elements of the foregoing assembly 25 are removably secured to each other by any selected means, illustratively shown as bolts 36, 38 and 40, as well as the releasable attaching means 42 which secure the hopper means 26 to the auger housing means 30 (note particularly FIG. 3).

A driving means in the form of a motor means 44 supported by the frame means 12 is operatively secured to drive the auger means 28 via a pulley assembly 46 and a gear box means 48. With this type of transfer arrangement, a gear box housing 50 is also provided, secured to the auger housing means 30 by releasable securing means such as bolts 52. The type of motor means is not critical to the instant invention and can be an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor or the like.

A wheeled support is provided for the frame means 12 in the form of front roller means 54 including a pair of laterally spaced, steerable front wheel members 56, 58, the front roller means being secured to the forward end 16 of the frame means 12, and rear roller means 60 including a single rear wheel member 62 with a brake means 64. The front and rear roller means are vertically adjustable and these elements along with the brake means are of a nature similar to like parts shown in the previously mentioned co-pending applications. Moreover, these elements may be laterally adjusted in the same manner as with the previous modifications, this lateral adjustment enabling the wheel means to be properly positioned depending upon which side of the frame means the curb is to be layed.

Uniquely provided in the instant apparatus is a pair of elongated support arms 66, 68, one end of each of which is pivotably supported to the frame means about the central axis as shown at 70, 72, respectively. The support arms are of such a length that when laterally extended, portions of each support arm overhang the respective side or 22 of the frame means 12 so that the extrusion assembly can be secured thereto. Cleat members 74, 76, 78, 80 are carried by the frame means to provide a surface on which the support arms rest when they are pivoted to one side or the other of the frame means. Note particularly FIG. 5.

The manner in which the instant apparatus is utilized is believed to be self evident. With the support arms 66, 68 pivoted to overhang the left side 22 of the frame means 12 as shown in FIG. 1, the extrusion assembly 25 can be supported thereby. Specifically, the opposite ends of the auger housing are secured by bolts or the like to the support arms. The gear box housing 50 is secured to one end of the auger housing 30 and the compaction tube 32 is secured to the other end of the auger housing 30 with the curb forming means secured to the rear end of the compaction tube 30. The hopper means 26 is secured with its outlet communicating with the inlet of the auger housing 30.

When it is desired to extrude a curb on the opposite side of the frame means 12 the apparatus can be modified to connect the various elements to each other in the manner shown in FIG. 2-6. Specifically, the bolt means 82, 84, 86 and 88 securing the auger housing 30 to the support arms 66, 68 are removed and the bolt means 90, 92 securing the support arms to the frame means are also removed so that the support arms can be pivoted to overhang the right hand side 20 of the frame means 12. All of the other items of the compaction assembly 25 are removed, reassembled and secured together and to the support arms as shown in the remaining figures. In order to operate from the right hand side of the frame means it is necessary to turn the auger housing 30 180 so that the opening thereof extending upwardly and inwardly and, additionally, the hopper means 26 must be turned by 180 before reassembly. If the profile of the curb forming means 34 needs to be reversed, a modified curb forming means is secured to the compaction tube 32. The pulley 46 is operatively associated between the power output shaft of the motor means 44 and the gear box 48. The wheeled supports are laterally offset, as necessary and vertically adjusted to insure that the curb forming means engages the surface on which a curb 102 is to be laid. All of the various securing means are then reconnected on the opposite side so that operation can be begun.

Brackets 104,106 may be provided, if necessary, to additionally support the gear box 50.

It is now believed that the advantages of a device of this nature will be readily understood and that all of the objectives set forth herein above, and many others of commercial importance, are satisfied by the curb forming means of this invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A curb forming apparatus comprising, in combination, elongated frame means having a longitudinally extending central axis, longitudinally spaced forward and rearward ends and laterally spaced sides; hopper means having an inlet for receiving a material from which the curb is to be formed, and an outlet; conveyor means including a rotatably supported elongated auger means, an elongated auger housing having a generally upwardly opening inlet and longitudinally spaced open ends, and a compaction tube having longitudinally spaced ends; releasable securing means for attaching said hopper means to said auger housing with said out let of said hopper means communicating with said inlet of said auger housing; driving means for rorating said auger means including motor means carried by said frame means and power transfer means operatively connecting said motor means to said auger means; curb forming means having longitudinally spaced open ends and longitudinally extending, laterally spaced, lower edged; and front and rear roller means carrying said forward and rearward ends, respectively, of said frame means and adapted for rollingly supporting said apparatus on a surface to be provided with a curb with said lower edges of said curb forming means juxtaposed to the surface; longitudinally spaced, laterally extending, elongated support arms, pivot means securing one end of each support arm to said frame means at about said central axis so that said support arms can be swung about said pivot means with portions of said support arms overhanging one or the other of said sides of said frame means, cleats on said frame means upon which said support arms rest; means for securing said auger housing; said auger means, said compaction tube and said curb forming means to each other in operable relationship to define an extrusion assembly, and means for securing said extrusion assembly to said overhanging portions of said support arms so that said apparatus can be operated to form a curb on either side of said frame means.

2. A curb forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for securing said auger housing to said overhanding portions of said support 

1. A traffic lane indicator for being imbedded in a hold formed in a pavement and accommodating a resurfacing of said pavement, said lane indicator comprising: a. a generally tubular, deformable, outer housing formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots formed around its lowermost end and internal threads near its uppermost end; b. a base plate positionable in the bottom of said hole and having a frustoconical peripheral surface tapering outwardly and downwardly from a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the undeformed housing to a significantly greater diameter whereby said base plate may be wedged within the lower end of said housing for deforming the housing into an outwardly deflected skirt for anchoring said housing in said hole; c. a tubular cylindrical sleeve removably, threadedly engaged to the interior of said housing, said sleevE extending upwardly within said housing with its upper end substantially flush with the surface of the pavement; d. a piston vertically reciprocable within said sleeve and formed with a generally frustoconical top end, said piston being resiliently biased upwardly and having a stop means for limiting its upward travel so that it reciprocates between a first relatively relaxed position having the frustoconical top end protruding above said pavement and extending downwardly at least to the level of said pavement and a second depressed position having the top end not protruding above the pavement; and e. light reflector means mounted to the top end of said piston.
 2. A traffic lane indicator according to claim 1 wherein said tubular cylindrical sleeve extends substantially above the upper end of said housing to the surface level of a repavement layer.
 3. A method for reusing a traffic lane indicator after resurfacing a pavement, wherein the traffic lane indicator is of the type having an outer housing permanently anchored in the pavement, a sleeve removably mounted within said outer housing and a piston vertically, reciprocably mounted in said sleeve said method comprising: a. removing said sleeve and said piston from said housing; b. removably engaging a closure plug in said housing; c. resurfacing said pavement; d. removing said plug and the pavement immediately above said plug; and e. mounting an extension sleeve and piston within said housing. 